Germany is discussing measures to contain climate change.
The head of the Federation of Nature Conservation in Bavaria is particularly responsible for the Greens and shakes his head because of Hubert Aiwanger.
Munich - The traffic light wants to be a climate government - with concrete measures, however, there is still room for improvement.
In the interview Richard Mergner, head of the Bund Naturschutz in Bayern, talks about an unleashing package for “citizen energy” - and a “poor” proposal.
Mr. Mergner, in the exploratory paper * by the SPD, Greens and FDP, the climate measures are sometimes as soft as butter.
Would you have expected more courage?
Mergner:
Well, an exploratory paper can of course only show the direction.
But if the parties in the coalition negotiations do not make massive improvements to the climate, it would be disappointing.
What are you specifically asking for?
Mergner:
Climate protection must become the central field of action of all ministries, the energy sector is particularly important.
Citizen energy needs to be unleashed quickly there.
We envision 500 billion euros for a public future investment program in the field of climate protection and the energy transition.
For this to happen, environmentally harmful subsidies must fall.
Think of the non-taxation of aviation fuel or diesel subsidies.
You would have quickly put together 30 billion euros a year.
What exactly do you mean by citizen energy?
Mergner:
That means, for example, solar systems on roofs and facades to generate electricity and heat yourself and to save energy with efficiency technology.
Anyone who, as a homeowner, wants to supply themselves with their own solar power or as a tenant who wants to obtain solar power from their neighbors, needs clear rules and a reduction in bureaucracy at the federal level.
There is also huge potential in public buildings.
The old government thwarted citizen energy.
We must finally wake this sleeping giant and mobilize private capital for it.
Wind power is currently being discussed again, for which the SPD, Greens and FDP want to allocate two percent of the federal territory.
Mergner:
We as the Bund Naturschutz have been calling for this for a long time.
Two percent does not mean that plants will be built everywhere, but that suitable locations will be determined there, taking into account nature conservation requirements.
In addition, the unspeakable Bavarian 10H rule must be removed and replaced by a nationwide uniform rule.
A distance of one kilometer from the residential complex would be sensible.
Bavaria's Minister of Economic Affairs, Hubert Aiwanger, would rather have more wind turbines in the forest.
Agreed?
Mergner:
With all due respect, the proposal is poor.
From our point of view, wind turbines can only be built where spruce or pine forests are dying anyway.
But if you drive through this country, you will find that there are enough suitable areas, for example along motorways and railways.
It is important to involve citizens and municipalities financially.
You need the signal that this is politically wanted.
But often it is citizens' initiatives that prevent wind turbines ...
Mergner:
My impression is that the years of bad-mouthing wind power has really encouraged disguised nuclear power proponents in particular.
But we have enough examples that wind turbines can be built, only recently with a positive referendum in the Ebersberg district.
In the fight against climate change, many countries rely on nuclear power, but we don't.
Isn't that highly unreasonable?
Mergner:
In no way, the risks from nuclear power are just too great.
On the contrary: we need the nuclear power plants to be shut down immediately.
What helps here is to use the potential for energy savings and efficiency.
It starts with installing LED lights in street lights, for example.
We must no longer pretend that climate protection is too expensive.
The flood disaster has shown that society will not be able to pay for failure to protect the climate.
According to the exploratory paper, the coal phase-out should "ideally" take place by 2030.
That sounds like a back door to many.
Mergner:
Our demand is that 2030 be explicitly stipulated in the coalition agreement.
If the Greens - bad enough - let the speed limit be negotiated, then consistency is needed in other areas.
Here the SPD * and FDP * block.
Interview: Marcus Mäckler * merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA
List of rubric lists: © Daniel Karmann
